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Phishing Scams Analysis

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Scammers use a technique known as phishing, an attempt to get the victim to divulge financial information and can be avoided by not giving out financial information over the phone and using virus protection. In a phishing scam, the thief poses as an employee of a business asking for sensitive information. This can take place in two different forms, Vishing, and Smishing. Vishing uses voice communication to lure potential victims into giving away sensitive information like usernames and passwords or financial information. Such vishing scams have been carried out by scammers impersonating the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS mentions these scams in a public notice where the scammers use fake names, IRS badge numbers and even alter their caller …show more content…
These Smishing scams have been an issue for the electronics store, Best Buy. The scam offers the potential victims a link to claim a gift card from a fraudulent website that asks for personal information or requires further conditions to be eligible to claim it (Best Buy). Like many other companies, Best Buy creates bulletins offering tips on how customers can avoid being scammed. Email and social networking websites have also been the target of scams, using social engineering to convince the victim into believing they are a trusted entity. If the victim believes the scammer and clicks on the provided link, it can lead to a fake website or even download malicious software. Phone users can avoid being scammed by avoiding divulging financial information over the phone, through text message, or email, using security software such as an antivirus program, and being careful when opening attachments or clicking on links (FTC 2011). Unlike computers, cell phones do not have the option to mouse over a link. On a computer, placing the cursor over a link to a website reveals the true address which may differ from the visible

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